The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1887-01-15
Correspondence Baltimore County Union
LETTER FROM BALTIMORE.
Death Of Collector Thompson-The Char
ity Ball-The New Postofhce--A Grand
Society Event-Heating the Horse
Cars, &C., sc.
BALTIMORE, January 18th, 1887.

BALTIMORE, January 18th, 1887.
Messrs. Editors The death and burial of our
City Collector, Samuel P. Thompson, took place
since your paper went to press last week. The
cause of his death was acute pneumonia, which
was painful and brief. His funeral took place
yesterday and was very largely attended. He
was one among our most prominent citizens and
generally known in business circles. Several
clubs represented in tho cortege, of business
order, chief among which was the Mercantile. 1t
was throughout solemn and imposing. The re-
mains were deposited in his vault in Greenmount
Cemetery, by the side of his wife, who died over
year ago. He was in his 5Sth year. The death
of Mr.. Thompson will beget the necessity of the
appointment and confirmation of an immediate
successor. The City Council has been called to-
gether to-day for that purpose, when it is posi-
Bile some one will be appointed. 1t is one Of the
best and most responsible offices in the Mayors
gift, worth some $4,000 year. have known
the deceased since his first entrance into business
in Baltimore many years ago. He was always
considered one among our most prominent bust
ness men, deservedly maintaining the reputation,
and was an able officer as collector. His place
will be difficult to fill. He stood high in the
esteem of all with whom he was acquainted and
his death will be deeply regretted.
Extensive preparations are making for the
charity ball to be given for the benefit of the poor
The attendance is expected to be very large. 1t
should be, for the poor and INDECENT have suffered
very much thus far in the winter. Bayview has
now over 1920 inmates and still more applying
for admission. Even the tramps have been driven
in for shelter from the cold. The benevolent and
those able to give have been giving literally to
the cause, but still there are pressing demands.
Navigation is still very much blocked up and
interrupted by the ice, though the ice boats keep
the channel open for vessels to some extent, so
that it never can be said to be wholly closed.
The work on the new postofice building will
now 20 forward without further interruption until
it is finished, which will be year and half, pos
sibly less, from the present time. 1t will be q
magnificent building when completed, though
some think it will not have room enough. Well,
when it becomes too small take it for other uses
and build new and larger one.
Mr. Robert Garrett and wife give elegant
ball tonight in honor of opening their new mousse
in Mount Vernon Square. The new house is a
superb one, standing out first among the elegant
residences in Baltimore. No psins nor cost were
spared in its construction. The entertainment
will be brilliant in the extreme. 1t is good for
our miionaires to expend their wealth thus lib
orally.
1 regret to say quite number of churches have
been robbed recently and poor boxes rhed of their
contents by petty thieves. The robberies are
especially low and mean.
The loss by fire in the city during the past year
amounted to nearly million of dollars. 1t is not
very large considering all the circumstances. We
certainly have the best and most efficient fire de-
partment in the country. AS l have heretofore
said, there is some deficiency in the northern and
northwestern extremities in a want of more fire
engine houses.
am glad to see that the Citizens line of pas
senger cars has gotten steam in their cars by new
and very convenient appliance, which makes them
very comfortable this cold weather. 1t will not be
long before other lines will be obliged to follow
suit. am glad to see that the managers by this
- &c -, ffnn mat hn
oidos hoine very dangerous m account of its liza
bility to take fire and cause conaagration. 1t
is also comfortable in such weather we are like
ly to have during the winter months. All the
cars should be heated.
Persons are now busily engaged in putting up
ice in and out of the city. The blocks are from
eight to ten inches thick. Carts are hauling it in
ali directions. The butchers are busy filling their
houses. They will be able to get an abundant
supply and very fine.
T see that the Maryland Central railroad is get
ting along very well with its new depot and sta
ton. The building, when completed, will be
very fine one and suited to the purposes in every
respect The ascent from the cars is now more
convenient, also the descent, and safer in every
way. 1t is great improvement, much better
than the old.
There continues a good demand for carpenters
and others engaged in building houses, especially
on the suburbs and in the Belt. There have been
forty or fifty permits taken out this week for new
buildings. Wages continue good and very few
persons of this character out of employ. The
spring promises flush of such improvements
Other industries are not quite so active. Com
merce is rather quiet but prices steady. Only
fair business doing on Change.
The recent wreck of the steamer Elisabeth, off
the Capes is terrible calamity, melancholy in
the extreme, on account of so many brave and
valuable lives being lost. None but will sympa-
thize deeply, particularly for those wreckers who
went to their relief. They should be remembered
with profound respect and the surviving widows
and their families meet due generosity far as
money can repay them. nobler venture never
has been made. We are told in Scripture that no
man can do more than give his life for q fellow
being. This the wreckers freely did. They never
should be forgotten. There were, believe, q in
all who lost their lives, among them the captain.
NESToR.